Medan Airport Rail Link

A review of the train between Medan and its airport.
Medan’s new Kuala Namu International Airport opened on 25 July 2013. A new toll road between it and Medan City is still under construction, and trips of 1 to 2 hours are common.
However, a new rail link between Medan and the airport is open now. In another example of poor English skills, it is spelled Railink.

Some airlines and hotels near Medan Railway Station
are giving their clients free or discounted rides

It is hoped that Railink will fulfil the need for a reliable, comfortable and fast means of transport for visitors. (For those transiting Medan, there is also an airport bus to the Amplas bus terminal). However, some residents have baulked at the high ticket price: Rp80 000 ($US8).
But how does Railink work and is it any good? The Indonesian-only official website isn’t much help in this area to foreign visitors, so Mau Ke Mana recently sent some secret shoppers to try it out. Their comments below are in grey.

Railink Timetable

Effective 14 November 2013 – click to enlarge
Berangkat = Depart, Tiba = Arrive, Waktu = Time

GETTING THERE

The train station at the airport is conveniently located, not far from the domestic arrivals hall. It is easy to find and well signposted. The lift is a bit small; only 3 people with luggage trollies could enter it at a time.
By contrast, the train station in Medan seems inadequate. The main access is a large walkway/ramp (not stairs or escalators); the area is not covered, so would be uncomfortably hot on a sunny day, especially when bringing luggage. The waiting area near the platforms already seems cramped, despite there being few passengers at the time.

THE TRAIN

Facilities: Seats with reclining backrests, baggage racks, clean bathrooms

New Korean-built trains have arrived, so facilities are now top-notch. Wi-fi is coming soon.

The journey is usually about 40 minutes, with no other official stops in between. The Medan city part of the journey can be interrupted or delayed by other inter-city trains needing to pass.
The baggage racks were big enough for suitcases, backpacks, etc. Surfboards might be too long, though.

If you’re heading to the airport, there is also the option of checking in your bags at Medan Station, via the city check-in service. You then don’t have to carry/push them on and off the train.

Seats are similar in style and comfort to Indonesian executive-class trains, but without the footrests and cushions.

THE PRACTICALITIES
1. Ticketing

We didn’t have any difficulty purchasing tickets because we have been to Indonesia before. Perhaps the first-time visitor may be a little confused about how much to pay or which banknotes to give.

Train tickets can also be purchased on the Railink website, but only 1-7 days in advance and doing it this way incurs additional fees. So, in most cases it’s easier to just buy the tickets in cash on the day.

Tickets are cards you insert into a slot before proceeding through a gate, like on Jakarta’s Busway system.

2. Timing/When To Go

The Railink brochure recommends (in Indonesian) passengers departing Medan select a train that leaves Medan Station at least 2 hours before departure.

For example, passengers on the 11:30 Wings Air flight to Nias should select a train departing before 09:30. Looking at the timetable, the 09:10 train is suitable.
The two hour minimum would be suitable for domestic flights; three hours before would be a wise choice for those departing on international flights.

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